13:35 Ludlow

Monday 21 November 2022

All13:0513:3514:1014:4515:1515:45

Frank Williams Memorial Novices' Handicap Chase

Off time: 13:35 | Winning time: 6m 28.70s

Jean Genie^t,v²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 12-0| J: Charlie Price⁽³⁾| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 105| BF

11/4

Fair hurdler/staying chaser but remains a long-standing maiden. However, has finished runner-up all 4 starts this season, beaten a head at Ffos Las last time without looking like getting by the winner. Can give his running again.

Form: 63-2222

Airtothethrone²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Alan Johns| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 103

13/2

Placed both starts in Irish points and runner-up on his hurdling bow at Ffos Las (20f) last November. After almost a year off, finished a well-beaten fourth of 14 at Ffos Las last month. Makes chase/handicap debut.

Form: 33/32-4

Uranus Des Bordes¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Tom Cannon| T: D G Bridgwater| OR: 98

40/1

Encouragement first time out when runner-up in novice hurdle at Huntingdon but well held next 2 starts. Fared no better on seasonal/chase debut when pulled up back at Huntingdon 13 days ago. Has enough to prove at present.

Form: 234-P

Layerthorpe⁴⁷⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 11-2| J: Ben Jones| T: Mrs D A Hamer| OR: 93| D

28/1

Landed a hat-trick in staying handicap hurdles in 2019. After disappointing in only 3 starts the following year, back on track last season when placed on his first 3 outings of the campaign. Off for 15 months ahead of chase debut.

Form: 30/3235-

Paseo¹⁶⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-12| J: Shane Quinlan⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 89

2/1

Only success remains in a Fontwell handicap hurdle back in 2019. Campaigned over fences this year since joining current yard and has been proving expensive to follow, though mark continues to fall so he's capable of getting involved.

Form: 2483-23

Toad Of Toad Hall¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: Toby Wynne⁽⁵⁾| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 85

14/1

Didn't need to improve when off the mark in 3-runner handicap chase at Fontwell (26f) in June. After 5 months off, shaped better than the result when sixth of 9 at the same C&D 17 days ago, unable to sustain effort. More required.

Form: P0P-216

Born At Midnight¹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-7| J: Harry Kimber⁽⁵⁾| T: W G M Turner| OR: 84

5/2

In control when falling 2 out at this C&D on his final outing last season, but after a year off made amends when readily getting off the mark at Taunton (23f) 11 days ago. Can continue his progress to follow up.

Form: P/5B2F-1

O'Grady's Boy^p²⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 10-4| J: S Bowen| T: G Hanmer| OR: 81

50/1

Modest maiden hurdler/chaser at best but has gone the wrong way this season, showing temperament over hurdles on his first 2 starts of the campaign. Pulled up back over fences last time. Best watched.

Form: UU4-7PP

Forecasts

Paseo (2/1), Born At Midnight (5/2), Jean Genie (11/4), Airtothethrone (13/2), Toad Of Toad Hall (14/1), Layerthorpe (28/1), Uranus Des Bordes (40/1), O'Grady's Boy (50/1)

BORN AT MIDNIGHT has been going the right way over fences, getting off the mark after 12 months off at Taunton 11 days ago, and he can score again with further progress to come. The main danger could be Jean Genie who remains without a win but can give his running once more, with Paseo completing the shortlist.